Ladder foot



Jan. 26,1943. V N METER 2,309,484

LADDER FOOT Filed Aprii 3, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Ceiow WwMeieP A? k I v I Afton/L115 Jam. 26, 1 943. c. VAN METER LADDER FOOT Filed April 3. 1943 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Inventor 4 c'eion an M Patented Jan. 26, 1943 UNHTED STATES P TENT OFFICE The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ladder feet, and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which will prevent the ladder from slipping and which, in addition, will protect the floor or other surface on which the ladder may be mounted against damage.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a ladder foot of the character described which may be expeditiously adjusted and used for leveling the ladder on uneven ground or other surfaces.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide an adjustable ladder foot of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be conveniently mounted for use on a conventional ladder without the necessity of making material structural alterations therein.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an adjustable ladder foot which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and. wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a ladder foot constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing said foot in use on a ladder as a leveling device.

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the socket, taken substantially on the line l4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the socket, taken at right angles to Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the substantially channel-shaped base, taken substantially on the line l! of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation, showing the foot in use as an anti-slipping device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invensocket I. of suitable metal. The socket I is adapted to be mounted on a conventional ladder rail 2, on which said socket is firmly secured by countersunk rivets or other elements 3. The socket I includes a substantially tapered, rounded lower end portion 4 having aligned openings 5 in its opposed side walls. ,Struck outwardly and downwardly from the upper front portions of the side walls of the socket I are angular lugs 6, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

Mounted for swinging and sliding movement on the socket I is a substantially channel-shaped base of suitable metal which is designated generally by reference numeral 1. Mounted on the web 8 of the substantially channel-shaped base I is a pador cushion 9. The side walls I0 of the substantially channel-shaped base 1 include beveled end portions II. Integral prongs or teeth I2 project from the corresponding end of the web 8 of the base I for biting into the ground or other surface when the foot is used as a leveling device, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Longitudinal slots I3 are provided in the side walls II] of the base 1. Communicating with each slot I3 at an intermediate point is a right angularly extending notch I4. Formed at spaced points in the free longitudinal edges of the side walls ID are notches or recesses I5 in which the angular lugs 6 are selectively engageable when the foot is used as a leveling device.

The base I is pivotally and slidably mounted on the socket I through the medium of a bolt I6 which passes through the openings 5 in said socket. The bolt I B is operable in the slots I3 and engageable in the notches I 4. A wing nut I l is provided on the bolt I6 for securing the base 1 in the desired position on the socket I. Washers or plates I8 are provided between the head of the bolt I6 and the wing nut I7 and the sides to of the base 1.

It is thought that the manner in which the foot functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the foot is to be used as a leveling device, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the substantially channel-shaped base 1 is swung on the socket I to a position parallel with said socket and the rail 2 of the ladder. The lugs 6 are engaged in the desired notches I5 for leveling the ladder. The wing nut I! is then tightened, for securing the base 1 in adjusted position, although this may not be necessary as the load will tend to force the lugs 6 upwardly toward the closed ends of the notches I5. When the foot is to be used tion which has been illustrated comprises split as an anti-slipping device, the base 1 is swung downwardly to a horizontal position beneath the socket l with the pad or cushion 9 lowermost, as seen in Figure 8 of the drawings. The base I is then adjusted longitudinally relative to the socket I for engaging the bolt IS in the notches l4, after which the wing nut I! is tightened. Of course, two of the feet are brought into use when the invention is used for preventing slipping of the ladder or for protecting the floor or other surface from being damaged.

It is believed that the many advantages of an adjustable ladder foot constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: V 4

1. A ladder foot of the character described comprising a socket for the reception of a ladder rail, a substantially channel-shaped base for the reception of said socket, said base having longitudinal slots in its side walls and further having notches therein communicating with the slots at an intermediate point, and a bolt mounted in the socket for pivotally and slidably connecting said socket to the base, said bolt being operable in the slots and engageable in the notches.

CETON VAN METER. 

